Parker slated for MRI on back

Spurs All-Star Tony Parker is scheduled for an MRI on Monday after leaving Sunday’s 112-92 victory over Memphis in the first quarter with back spasms, coach Gregg Popovich said.

Parker had been off to an outstanding start with 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting in nine minutes.

It marks the latest in a string of nagging injuries for Parker this season, who has missed 11 games with a mild ankle sprain, a shin contusion, tightness in his low back, a sore Achilles and the “variety of maladies” that earned him a lengthy convalescence in late February.

“We just have to hope it’s a couple-of-days thing,” said Manu Ginobili, who helped pick up the slack for Parker’s injury with 26 points off the bench. “Of course we are a different team with him. We need him healthy and strong for the playoffs.”

Parker, who will be 32 in May, is averaging 16.9 points and 5.9 assists per game on 30 minutes, his lowest average since his rookie season in 2001-02.